Outdoor Research Mute Sensor Gloves Review

GEAR INSTITUTE RATINGS

86

Warmth

6

Grip

7

Dexterity

9

Durability

8

Comfort

8

Features & Design

8

The Good

Feature-rich

Comfortable

Good grip & dexterity

The Bad

Not waterproof

Not as warm as other gloves

THE VERDICT

The Mute Sensor gloves have almost every feature anyone could ask for in a good ski glove, and they scored high in nearly every category we tested them in. The two factors that kept these gloves from coming out on top of the ranking were the fact that they weren’t as warm as many of the other gloves in the test, and water soaked into the gloves during the ice bucket challenge. The Mute Sensor is ideal as a milder temperature glove for relatively dry snow conditions.

FULL REVIEW

WarmthThe Mute Sensor gloves provided more than enough warmth on milder days, but when the temperatures were at, or below, freezing, the insulation in the gloves wasn’t enough to keep our hands warm. During the ice bucket challenge, the gloves did keep our fingers from getting overly cold until the water from the bucket leaked into the gloves after 20 minutes of being submerged.

Grip The Mute Sensor gloves have an extra layer of goat leather sewn onto the thumb and forefinger and feature a pre-shaped curved design with outseams on the last three fingers. These features, combined with the soft leather construction, give the Mute Sensors excellent grip on ski poles. The only factor that might improve the grip would be an additional layer of leather on the palm of the gloves.

Dexterity The Mute Sensor’s dexterity was as good or better than any of the gloves we tested. The fingers fit tightly without being too constricting. The lack of an outseam on the forefinger didn’t have any noticeable affect on grip, but it did seem to increase the dexterity of the glove. And the touch-screen capability of the Mute Sensor that allows you to keep the gloves on while texting or snapping photos on your phone was a huge bonus.

Durability The tough goat leather construction of the Mute Sensors is enhanced with a protective armor of molded EVA foam on the back of the gloves that protect your knuckles and hand and increase the durability of the gloves.

Comfort The Mute Sensors are easy to get on and off and easy to wear all day. They aren’t overly padded, but the polyester lining is soft against your skin and their pre-curved shape significantly increases their comfort. They aren’t constricting even for large hands, but neither are they overly roomy, giving them that just-right feel that often makes you forget you’re wearing them.

Features & DesignNo other glove we tested was as feature-rich as the Mute Sensors. Unless you’re looking for something out of the ordinary, these gloves have every feature you could ask for. The padded protection on the back of the gloves helps protect your hands from wayward limbs when you’re skiing the glades and the elastic strap on the wrist leash makes sure the gloves won’t fall off the chair if you happen to take them off on the lift – although the touch-screen capabilities of the gloves help minimize the need to do so very often. The Mute Sensors also feature a pull up loop on the wrist, glove clips, and a soft nose wipe on the thumb.

Christopher Cogley is a freelance writer who spends as much time as possible biking, hiking, camping, and exploring the outdoor playground of Western Colorado where he lives with his wife and two boys.